Question:

Let \(\vec{a}, \vec{b}\) and \(\vec{c}\) be three non-zero vectors such that no two of them are collinear and
\( (\vec{a}\times\vec{b})\times\vec{c} = \frac{1}{3}|\vec{b}||\vec{c}|\,\vec{a} \).
If \(\theta\) is the angle between vectors \(\vec{b}\) and \(\vec{c}\), then a value of \(\sin\theta\) is :

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Expand with \((\vec a\times\vec b)\times\vec c = (\vec a\cdot\vec c)\vec b - (\vec b\cdot\vec c)\vec a\) and use that \(\vec a,\vec b\) are linearly independent.
Updated On: Nov 11, 2026
  • \(\frac{2}{3}\)
  • \(\frac{-2\sqrt{3}}{3}\)
  • \(\frac{2\sqrt{2}}{3}\)
  • \(\frac{-\sqrt{2}}{3}\)
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

\((\vec a\times\vec b)\times\vec c = (\vec a\cdot\vec c)\vec b - (\vec b\cdot\vec c)\vec a\).
Given equation: \((\vec a\cdot\vec c)\vec b - (\vec b\cdot\vec c)\vec a = \frac13|\vec b||\vec c|\vec a\), i.e. \((\vec a\cdot\vec c)\vec b = \left(\vec b\cdot\vec c + \frac13|\vec b||\vec c|\right)\vec a\).
Since \(\vec a,\vec b\) are not collinear, both coefficients vanish: \(\vec a\cdot\vec c = 0\) and \(\vec b\cdot\vec c = -\frac13|\vec b||\vec c|\).
So \(\cos\theta = -\frac13\) and \(\sin\theta = \sqrt{1-\frac19} = \frac{2\sqrt2}{3}\) (\(\theta\in[0,\pi]\) so \(\sin\theta\ge 0\)).
Answer: (3) \(\frac{2\sqrt{2}}{3}\)
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